“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” — Isaiah 55:10–11 (NIV)
As we get closer to the end of the book of Isaiah, we come across some of the most beautiful and powerful verses in Scripture. In the two verses above, Isaiah is using the simple analogy of rain and snow watering and feeding the earth as a promise that the Lord does the same with His word. Just as the rain falls for a purpose, so God’s Word always goes out for a purpose. What is that purpose? To capture the heart of humankind. God desires to capture our attention and, through His powerful Word, transform our hearts and minds.
Note, then, that the Bible is more than just black and red letters on white paper. As the writer of Hebrews stated, “It is living and active.” God uses His Word very strategically and very intentionally. He has a purpose for it when it goes out, and it does not come back empty. It always does what it intends.
Given these facts there are two things that we must do in order to experience the power and promise of these two verses. One, we need to be in the Word. How can it do its intended work in us if we never open it? When we open it, we should know that we are treading on holy ground. We should read with a respectful awe that a holy and eternal God would choose to reveal Himself to us in such a specific way. Second, we should use God’s Word in our life with others. God has an intended purpose that His Word touch the life of every human being on the planet. It is not our job to convert the heart. It is only our job to introduce the hearts of the world to the Word of God. God will take care of the persuading and converting.
As you ponder God’s holy Word today, I pray you sense God’s Word nourishing your soul.
Peace!
Pastor Tom
www.firmlyrooted.church
